child custody Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri

3 requirements for a successful mediation

March 7, 2016/in Family Law /by David Patton

Mediation allows parties to work in a collaborative environment and reach an agreement satisfying to both sides. The enclosed article suggests mediation as a first step in solving problems and reaching voluntary agreements. Instead of using mediation as a last resort, the article recommends using it as the first step to work out solutions. In particular, using mediation, a less formal alternative than court, makes it less likely that parties will react defensively or overstate their claims. Although the article discusses mediation in a business context, the following three suggested requirements for a successful mediation also serve well in divorce mediation:

(1) a willingness on the part of all the relevant parties to work together to resolve the problem or deal with the situation;

(2) the availability of a trusted “neutral” with sufficient knowledge and skill to manage difficult conversations; and

(3) an agreement on procedural ground rules (i.e., confidentiality, timetable, agenda, good faith effort, etc.)

While divorce mediation works in many situations, it is not always appropriate. Litigation is often the best option in situations where there is domestic violence, one party refuses to cooperate in making required disclosures, or communication between the parties is impossible. If you have any questions about divorce mediation and would like to speak to an attorney, please contact Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information. Keep in mind that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Source:

http://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/mediation/mediation-as-problem-solving/?mqsc=W3827538&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=PON%20Harvard+Neg%20Insider%20%28Tuesday/Thursday%29%20Standard%20Rule+Neg%20Insider%20%28Tuesday/Thursday%29%20Standard%20Rule&utm_campaign=Neg_WIR_02272016

Your Holiday Child Custody Visitation Schedule

December 12, 2014/1 Comment/in Family Law /by Gretchen Boger

December is a holy time of the year, encompassing the celebration of many religious holidays and spiritually significant days. December may also, unfortunately, be the time of year that religious differences arise between ex-spouses, which may not have been present during marriage. When parents have divergent religious beliefs, it may be difficult to come to a visitation agreement during the holidays.

The general rule is that the custodial parent has the authority to make decisions relating to their child’s religious upbringing. For example, a Jewish father who is the custodial parent has the right to raise his child as Jewish and to celebrate any related religious holidays, such as Chanukah, with the child. At divorce, this may raise some concerns if the parents do not agree on what religion to raise their child. Courts will not prohibit the noncustodial parent from discussing religion with the child or from involving the child in his or her religious activities, in the absence of a showing that the child will be harmed.

Further, courts are unwilling to get involved in religious disputes between parents because of the potential for interference with the First Amendment’s guarantee that the government shall not prohibit the free exercise of religion. Thus, courts will never make any ruling based solely on religion. Courts will, however, uphold child custody visitation agreements between the parents that concern religious issues.

If religious differences may become an issue during or after divorce, it is important that you and your ex-spouse discuss the importance of all religious holidays and how they will be incorporated into your visitation schedule. Parents will usually alternate custody between holidays each year, but this is not always the case if one parent values certain holidays more than others, or if parents of different faiths want to celebrate holidays that fall on the same day. Whatever you and your spouse agree on with regards to the custody schedule, it should be determined well in advance and with the child’s best interests in mind. Additionally, any custody agreement should detail exactly what will happen in these situations.

The Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex family law matters. If you have any questions about your child custody visitation schedule, please contact the Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Surviving The Holidays During A Divorce

December 3, 2014/in Family Law /by Mitchell Ehrlich

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and togetherness. For the recently divorced or those in the process of a divorce, the holidays can be a very sad, confusing, and lonely time; especially for those couples with children. Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri, LLP have put together three tips to get you through the holidays this year: plan ahead, socialize, and create new traditions.

Plan Ahead

The first and most important step to ensuring you survive the holidays is planning ahead. This includes planning out where your children will spend their holidays and with whom. Depending on your custody plan, there are inevitably going to be holes in your schedule and during those time, loneliness may be unavoidable. One way to avoid being lonely during these times is to get activities on the calendar. If your children will be with your former spouse this year, plan activities with friends and family to keep you busy. While keeping yourself busy may be essential to surviving the holidays, it is also essential to leave some time for rest and reflection, so try not to over commit yourself.

Socialize

The more the merrier. It is common knowledge that the more people you surround yourself with, the better your mood will be. Just because your children are with your former spouse, does not mean you have to spend the holidays home alone. This holiday season, be sure to interact with others, whether it be with family or friends. Socializing will help you avoid feelings of sadness, loneliness, and depression. If you used to spend your holidays with your in-laws, find somewhere else to go this year. Do not be afraid to crash a holiday party or two. And remember, it is normal to feel out of place and uncomfortable, but the more you socialize, the better you will feel.

Create New Traditions

Divorce means letting go. This includes letting go of certain family traditions. Now that you are divorced, your holiday traditions are bound to change. This is your opportunity to keep the traditions you enjoy, get rid of those you do not, and create new and better traditions with your children. Take this time to try something you have always wanted to do, were too scared to do, or something your former would never let you and the children do. Also, if your children are spending this holiday with your former spouse, consider celebrating the same holiday with your children on an alternate day.

These are just some of the many tips available to survive the holidays during your divorce. The Certified Family Law Specialists at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex family law matters. If you are interested in learning more about scheduling where your children will spend the holidays, please contact Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri for further information. Keep in mind that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

How Much Does Divorce Cost?

July 22, 2014/in Family Law /by Gretchen Boger

Divorce can be really expensive. For example, the 2007 Connecticut divorce between travel entrepreneur, Peter Tauck, and his ex-wife racked up around $13 million in legal fees. The bill reflected two years of highly-contested litigation costs, including nearly 700 filings and an 86-day trial. It is common for such strikingly high-cost divorces to reach news headlines, but how much does getting a divorce really cost?

Plenty of websites have popped up that promise an “easy and affordable divorce” ranging from $99 to $300. These cheap alternatives may be enticing, and could be useful for couples who have few assets and agree on every aspect of child custody and visitation – they just need lawyers to fill out the required forms.

However, most spouses disagree about at least a few things in connection with their divorce. One of the most hotly contested issues is often child custody and visitation. California courts require divorcing parents to attend mediation to see if custody issues can be resolved without a trial, and they often can be. However, in some cases it is necessary to have a child custody evaluation, which can be either broad or specific in scope. This involves retaining a child custody evaluator, who is an expert, usually a forensic therapist or psychologist. The evaluator meets with both parties, the children, and sometimes collateral contacts, and then prepares a report to assist the court in making custody and visitation orders. Evaluations range substantially in cost, which is usually divided equally between the parties.

Aside from custody disputes, divorces mostly concern money and can require complicated financial calculations to determine and equitably divide the community’s interest in your marital estate. Such calculations may include the percentage you contributed to your 401(k) during marriage, or the amount of post-separation mortgage payments on the family home. Sometimes these issues are complicated enough to require hiring a CPA or a forensic accountant. In addition, many people receive stock options, or RSU’s as part of their employment compensation packages, and it can be necessary to retain an expert for division. Further, sometimes it is necessary to obtain real property appraisals or fair rental surveys, which range in cost depending on the size of the property.

If you and your spouse have acquired a substantial estate, the work to determine the community’s interest and agree on an equitable division can really add up. Even in what seems like a simple case, the cost can be high depending on many factors. Hourly rates for attorneys can range anywhere from $150, at the very low end, up to $1,000. Spouses can definitely expect to pay attorney fees and court costs, and there may be additional costs for parent education classes, co-parent counseling, private mediation, or retaining various experts.

The good news is that most of the cost is a function of how quickly you and your spouse can reach an agreement – it is in part under your control. If agreement cannot be reached, it may be necessary to file motions, which can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 for preparation and appearance at a hearing. The need for depositions and trial will also increase the cost of your divorce. If you have no assets and no children, it is possible to walk away only spending the filing fees. If you are able to reach a global or partial settlement agreement then the cost of dissolving your marriage will be greatly reduced. However, if you cannot be in the same room as each other without becoming outraged, your divorce could easily cost more than your wedding.

However, if your spouse makes more money than you, or has a greater “access to income,” you may be able to obtain an order for “need-based” attorney’s fees, payable by your spouse. In addition, if your spouse or their attorney is being really unreasonable, you may have the right to obtain sanctions in the form of attorney fees and costs from your spouse. These sanctions can be ordered when conduct frustrates the policy of the law to promote settlement.

On July 13, 2014, a Nebraska man, Michael Peterson, plead no contest to the first degree murder of his divorce attorney. After an unsuccessful malpractice suit seeking reimbursement for over $57,000 in attorney fees, Peterson shot his divorce attorney in the back with a high-velocity rifle. In order to avoid murderous rage upon receiving your bill, it is important to have an open and honest conversation about fees and costs, and ask for an estimated budget before going to trial.

Please be aware, however, that it is simply impossible to accurately estimate the cost of your divorce – there are too many possible factors for anyone to promise a certain outcome for a certain amount. If you have questions or are worried about the cost of your upcoming divorce, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex family law matters and offer a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

A sperm donor who signs a document waiving his parental rights doesn’t have to pay child support, right?

June 30, 2014/in Family Law /by Gretchen Boger

The answer is: not necessarily. Early in 2014, a Kansas man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple while also signing documents waiving his parental rights may have to pay child support anyhow. “I donated sperm and that was it for me,” he told CNN.

A judge ruled otherwise, saying that he must pay child support. This was because the lesbian couple conceived the child through an artificial insemination procedure that was carried out at home, which fails to conform to Kansas law. In Kansas, a licensed physician must be involved in an artificial insemination process.

After following up on an ad on Craigslist in March of 2009, sperm was donated and documents were signed waiving parental rights. Now that the child is four years old, Kansas law says he is the father and has to pay up.

The issue has come up in California as well. In 2012, a California appellate court held that the renowned bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman was not required to pay child support for triplets (one of whom tragically died) he fathered through artificial insemination after a court ordered him to pay over $4,000 per month.

In 2006, Coleman agreed to donate sperm at a California Sperm bank for a friend. He admitted having no interest in having parental duties but was willing to donate his sperm to a woman who allegedly had an on-again off-again sexual relationship with the bodybuilder in his past. Four years later he was slapped with a paternity suit forcing him to pay child support. After dutifully paying the child support for several years, an appellate court overturned the verdict.

California Family Code section 7613 says that the donor of semen provided to a licensed physician or licensed sperm bank for use in artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization of a woman, other than the donor’s wife, is treated in law as if he were not the natural father of a child thereby conceived. The court found that because the facts of Coleman’s case fell squarely within the parameters of 7613, any agreements between them as to parenthood were void.

The language of Code section 7613 can also help women who want to withhold parental rights from men who have donated sperm. A previous California case, Steven S. v. Deborah D., is a prime example. There, a man attempted to establish paternity for a child he fathered through artificial insemination with a woman he was intimately involved with but to whom he was not married. The woman argued against paternity and the court agreed that 7613 guaranteed the right of women to bear children without fear of paternity claims.

Paternity cases can be dramatic and complicated. If you find yourself in a difficult child custody situation, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists (as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex family law proceedings and offer a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

See California Family Code § 7613.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/23/justice/kansas-sperm-donation/

http://www.sandiegodivorcelawyerblog.com/2012/06/a-california-appellate-court-held.html

January, AKA “Divorce Month,” is Over!

February 3, 2014/in Family Law /by Gina Policastri

There’s a month for everything: National Pet Month, National Honey Month, National Grilled Cheese Month. And apparently, in recent years, January earned the less-than-flattering title of “Divorce Month.”

Findlaw.com, along with legal research service Westlaw, recently analyzed divorce filings between 2008 and 2011. Their study showed a spike in divorces in January, followed by a spike in late March. The study also revealed searches for “divorce,” “family law,” and “child custody” increased 50% from December to January – searches that continued to soar through the month of March.

So what exactly is going on during the early months of the year that causes such a rise in divorce? Miles Mason, a Memphis-based divorce attorney, lists a few reasons.

First of all, folks do not want to be perceived by friends and family as cold and heartless right before Christmas. Mason explains that “if somebody is coming to us in January, they made the decision to come see me or a lawyer before the holidays.”
Secondly, finances play a factor. Bonuses typically occur at the end of the year, a portion of which can be claimed as an asset from a spouse. Waiting until January to file for divorce will also not interfere with tax filings for the year before, which most couples file jointly.
Lastly, psychiatrist Mark Banschick explains that the start of the new year usually prompts an “existential moment” where people take a closer look at their lives, realize that it passes by too quickly, and that their current situation is not happy. As a result, “they call attorneys out of pain.”

If you have questions about divorce planning, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists (as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex family law proceedings and offer a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/17/living/january-divorce-month-matrimony/index.html?sr=fb011714divorcejanuary3p

If You Think a Child Can Have Only Two Parents, Think Again.

January 31, 2014/in Family Law /by David Patton

As of the first of this year, some new and exciting changes have occurred in California family law. Last fall, Governor Brown signed bill SB 274* which allows children to have more than one parent. The court will grant parentage to multiple parents where it is determined that having only two parents will be detrimental to the child.

The law, now part of the California Family Code, directs the family court to consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the harm of removing a child from a stable home with a parent who has fulfilled the child’s physical needs and the child’s psychological needs for care and affection, and who has assumed that role for a substantial period of time. For example, this would allow a child to remain legally connected to both of his natural parents while creating a new legal connection between him and his aunt who has cared for him for a significant amount of time.

With this law, the court can allocate time and custody of the child among all of the legal parents. As always, what is in the best interests of the child is what controls the court’s decisions. This is the same for child support. In the end, Governor Brown acknowledged that in some situations, a child can benefit from having the care and support of three or even four parents. This is a major departure from previous laws which only allowed each child to have two legal parents. Now, there are more people who will have standing in family law proceedings in regards to certain children.

If you are interested in petitioning for parentage of a child, or are dealing with other family law issues, having a knowledgeable, experienced family law attorney by your side can prove to be invaluable. If you have any questions about your divorce or custody issues, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists (as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri’s attorneys have decades of experience handling complex family law proceedings and are happy to offer you a free half-hour consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/04/local/la-me-brown-bills-parents-20131005

*SB 274 is now operative as of 1/1/14.

Olympic Skier Reaches Custody Agreement

January 23, 2014/in Family Law /by Gina Policastri

As the world gears up to watch the Winter Olympics, the 10-month-old little boy caught in the middle of the divorce between Olympic skier Bode Miller and ex-girlfriend Sara McKenna will finally have some peace in his short, young life — for the time being, at least. Miller and his former flame have agreed to share custody with their infant son for the next few months, calming a custody battle over him as Miller prepares to head for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Last year, Miller and McKenna had a brief relationship in Southern California, where Miller still resides. Miller filed California court papers claiming paternity of the baby in November 2012, when McKenna was still pregnant. The following month, McKenna moved to New York to attend Columbia University to complete her bachelor’s degree. Then, in February 2013, she gave birth to the little boy – and conveniently filed for custody in New York. Miller accused McKenna of moving while seven months pregnant to relocate to a state with laws that favor mothers. McKenna argues that she moved to Manhattan because she did not want to give up her dream of attending the Ivy League university.

Though lauded by women’s rights activists who believe McKenna had been penalized by the New York judge’s decision, McKenna was criticized by a New York City family court referee for leaving California before co-parenting details could be worked out. The Court Attorney Referee called McKenna’s move “irresponsible” and “reprehensible,” and sent the case back to California, where a judge gave Miller and his new wife custody of the baby boy. McKenna’s attorneys appealed the decision, claiming McKenna’s rights had been violated and that jurisdiction belongs in New York because the baby, having been born in New York, was a resident of the state. As such, the case was kicked back to the same New York courtroom, where Miller and McKenna were able to agree to temporary shared custody.

Though the arrangement reached between Miller and McKenna is only temporary, attorneys for both sides are hopeful the dispute will be resolved. The arrangement will also allow Miller to take his son to the February Olympics in Sochi. For his part, Miller is “psyched about the cooperative plan” and for hers, McKenna “think[s] we’re on the right road.”*

If you’re considering a cross-country move during a custody dispute, be sure to first consult an experienced family law attorney. Having a knowledgeable, experienced family law attorney by your side can prove to be invaluable. If you have any questions about your divorce or custody issues, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists (as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri’s attorneys have decades of experience handling complex family law proceedings and are happy to offer you a free half-hour consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

*http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bode-miller-ex-girlfriend-reach-custody-agreement-on-son/

Independent Evaluations: Could Denying Your Child Junk Food Affect Child Custody?

January 21, 2014/in Family Law /by Gina Policastri

Shockingly, it could. A recent Associated Press article* highlighted the scary truth about third-party evaluations and their effect on child custody disputes. In the case of the Schorr family, Mr. Schorr had a disagreement with his 5-year-old son over where they would eat dinner. The 5-year-old wanted McDonald’s, but Mr. Schorr felt that his son was eating too much junk food. Naturally, a tantrum ensued and Mr. Schorr issued an ultimatum—no McDonald’s or no dinner—period. The stubborn child decided he would rather not eat than choose a healthier alternative, so Mr. Schorr took the child home to his mother who had physical custody of the child.

In response to this incident, the child’s mother alerted the court of the disagreement. In turn, the court hired a psychologist to evaluate the situation, and that psychologist determined that Mr. Schorr was incapable of caring for his 5-year-old son. As a result, the psychologist urged the court to curtail Mr. Schorr’s visitation with his son, the court concurred. As a father, Mr. Schorr had no idea that denying his son junk food could eliminate his visitation time with his son.

In family law, it is important to know that persons other than the judge can have a significant impact on your case. In the event of a dispute, the court can appoint psychologists and other professionals to determine what is in the child’s best interests. The court will give deference to these court-appointed experts.

It is therefore very important to make a good impression with the evaluator. If you do not obtain a favorable recommendation, you can hire your own expert to rebut the recommendations. In the case of Mr. Schorr, he ultimately filed a defamation lawsuit against the court-appointed expert and likely brought in his own psychologist to dispute the damaging determination.

The family lawyers at Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri, LLP have a wealth of experience in child custody cases and know a number of qualified evaluators that could make a difference in your case. If you have any questions about child custody, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists (as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex Family Law proceedings and are happy to offer you a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

*Jennifer Peltz, “Suit: NY dad criticized for denying son McDonald’s”, Associated Press, Nov. 8, 2013.

Grandparents Have Visitation Rights, Too!

November 14, 2013/in Family Law /by Gretchen Boger

Popular television personality Bethenny Frankel is waging a full-blown (and very public) divorce and contentious custody battle with her soon-to-be-ex-husband – and her newest attack on Mr. Hoppy is not regarding him, but his parents: she wants to limit the grandparents’ time with her three-year-old daughter, Bryn. So does this mean that Bryn, who reportedly has a very strong bond with her grandparents, will be unable to see them in the future without Bethenny’s consent?

In California, grandparents have no absolute right to visitation with their grandchildren. In some cases, however, grandparents may have the right to visit their grandchildren even over the objection of the children’s parents – but the courts will begin with the assumption that the rights of the parents supersede those of grandparents. This is because parents have a fundamental right to the care, custody, and control of their children. However, there are a number of situations where the courts may grant grandparents visitation rights:

One parent has died and the remaining parent refuses to let the grandparents visit.
The parents are divorced.
The child does not live with either parent.
Visitation is deemed by the court to be in the best interest of the child. Visitation is deemed by the court to be in the best interest of the child.

Furthermore, grandparents generally cannot file for visitation rights while the grandchild’s parents are married. However, there are a number of exceptions, including:

The parents are living separately;
A parent’s whereabouts are unknown (and have been for at least a month);
One of the parents joins the grandparent’s petition for visitation;
The child does not live with either of his or her parents; or
The grandchild has been adopted by a stepparent.

Grandparent visitation issues are complex. At Lonich Patton Erlich Policastri, we are committed to working with grandparents to help them maintain access to their grandchildren. Our attorneys typically handle two types of grandparents’ rights cases: those involving the custody of grandchildren and those involving grandparents seeking visitation rights. If you have any questions about grandparents’ rights, please contact our California Certified Family Law Specialists (as certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization). Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex Family Law proceedings and are happy to offer you a free consultation.

Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results. While this post may include legal issues, it is not legal advice. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Posts

3 requirements for a successful mediation

Your Holiday Child Custody Visitation Schedule

Surviving The Holidays During A Divorce

How Much Does Divorce Cost?

A sperm donor who signs a document waiving his parental rights doesn’t have to pay child support, right?

January, AKA “Divorce Month,” is Over!

If You Think a Child Can Have Only Two Parents, Think Again.

Olympic Skier Reaches Custody Agreement

Independent Evaluations: Could Denying Your Child Junk Food Affect Child Custody?

Grandparents Have Visitation Rights, Too!

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